3 Killer Lessons from THE WALKING DEAD

If you didn’t get a chance to read the entire article on my blog, there’s a link to it at the bottom of this one.

Now on to another current issue.

AMC’s TV drama The Walking Dead is the highest rated series in cable television history.

I’m not a zombie guy (though some mornings, I might resemble one).

Unlike many of my peers who possess a Y chromosome, slashy-burny-butcher-gore films don’t appeal to me.

It’s for this reason that I’ve stayed clear of watching The Walking Dead.

That is, until a friend told me that the show is largely about surviving in community over against blowing zombie carcasses to the moon.

So I gave it a try. And I was hooked in the first season. (In many ways, The Walking Day is similar to the TV show LOST — which I thought was superb.)

Recently, I finished Seasons 1 to 6 of The Walking Dead.

Beyond the compelling characters, rich storylines, and incomparable acting, the parallels to the spiritual walk are impressive. The gruesome scenes, notwithstanding.

What follows are three critical lessons I observed while watching.

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Lesson 1: Exposure is Inevitable

You don’t know what people are really like until you observe them under pressure. Only then do their true colors emerge.

People who seemed to be noble characters at first get exposed for being sub-human creatures. No, they aren’t flesh-tearing zombies. They’re worse. More on that later.

Others who seemed to have black hearts end up exhibiting goodness, self-sacrifice, and genuine love.

To wit, never underestimate the kind of exposure that pressure, struggle, offenses, and disappointments manifest.

Another example of being exposed under pressure is the 2009 movie, Exam.

Animal Farm reveals the same thing.

In short, survival brings the best and the worst out in people. And you really don’t know who you are or what you are until a fellow Christian doesn’t meet your expectations. Nor do you know who your fellow “Christians” really are until someone “scratches” them.

This truth separates black sheep from goats. 🙂

Lesson 2: Community is Possible But Costly

I’ve said it often, but Christ-centered community is exotically rare on this earth. By “Christ-centered,” I don’t mean a group of people who talk bulbously about Jesus.

I’m talking about a face-to-face community that evidences by their lives that Jesus of Nazareth is Lord of this world. In other words, Jesus is the practical head of their lives.

This “evidence” is mostly clearly seen in how the members of the community treat one another as well as how they treat those outside of it (Matt. 7:12).

Do they gossip? Do they back-bite? Do they become jealous of one another and sow seeds of discord in the group? Do they become easily offended at each other and take vengeance? Do they impute bad motives to other people? Do they bad-mouth, tear-down, and even lie about one another? If another member is in trouble, do they treat them the same way they’d want to be treated if they were the ones in trouble?

Or . . . do they deny themselves? Do they lay their lives down for each other? Do they have each other’s backs? Do they see themselves as family? Do they place the same priority on the other members as they do on themselves and their own blood kin?

It’s the latter that I mean by “Christ-centered.”

And yes, what I’m describing does exist, but its rarer than chicken molars in our time. (The fact is, most Christians don’t lay their lives down for each other. The common attitude is, “It’s not my problem so I won’t treat it with nearly as much attention or diligence as if it were happening to me.”)

The community that’s formed in The Walking Dead (embodied by the key characters) reflects this brand of “I-have-your-back-and-won’t-leave-you-behind” dynamic. They lay their lives down for each other.

The characters weren’t always this way. In fact, some who were against the community eventually were “converted” to it and became loyal members.

In this regard, the show richly portrays the power of forgiveness, redemption, and reconciliation. It underscores the beauty of entering into a new family that’s made up of completely different personalities, but who share a common bond.

Sadly, the love and loyalty that the core community has for one another eclipses that found in the hearts of most Christians today.

No, the members of the show’s community aren’t perfect by any means. Just as no believer or Christian community is perfect. Nor am I suggesting that community in the show is “Christian” (so calm down).

Like most modern TV shows, the clergy are made to look like insipid imbeciles and immorality is portrayed as acceptable. So it’s not a “Christian” TV program. But the power of close-knit, devoted community is presented powerfully.

Lesson 3: Endurance is Required

Another lesson that’s brought out in the show is the power, and need for, endurance.

Jesus said “He/she who endures until the end shall be saved.”

It’s one thing to start out strong in the Christian walk. It’s another to finish.

Things are easy for a time. Then someone hits the warp drive and you’re trying to navigate through the blur.

It’s during those times that the pressure to quit following the Lord seriously become too unbearable for some. But keep in mind that being on the ropes isn’t the same as bleeding out.

Sometimes you have to spew over the side of the boat and keep rowing.

The older I get, the more people I meet who shipwrecked their faith (to borrow Paul’s phrase). These people were once ready to charge hell with a water pistol. Today, however, they don’t even believe in God.

And it’s not because some college professor told them that a person must have an IQ lower than a carrot to believe the Bible. No, it’s mostly because of unanswered prayers coupled with the deplorable way that some “Christians” treat those who genuinely follow Christ.

And pray that we’ll be rescued from these scoundrels who are trying to do us in. I’m finding that not all ‘believers’ are believers. But the Master never lets us down. He’ll stick by you and protect you from evil.Because of the Master, we have great confidence in you. We know you’re doing everything we told you and will continue doing it. May the Master take you by the hand and lead you along the path of God’s love and Christ’s endurance. (2 Thessalonians 3:3-5, The Message)

The Greater Problem

Since we’re on the subject of zombies, Paul tells us that before we came to Christ, we were among the walking dead:

As for you, don’t you remember how you used to just exist? Corpses, dead in life, buried by transgressions, wandering the course of this perverse world. (Ephesians 2:1, The Voice).

You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. (Colossians 2:13).

Yep, the Zombie Apocalypse began with Adam’s foible. So we were all zombies, existing only to satisfy our own cravings.

However, the so-called “Christians” who engage in verbal violence, hatred, lies, slander, and jealousy do more damage to the world than the dead who walk.

Like it or not, the world abounds with lukewarm Christians on the one hand and self-righteous, mean-spirited, judgmental ones on the other.

But God is looking for a people who (1) know how to endure until the end, refusing to walk off the field before the whistle blows, (2) are exposed to be people of the meek and mild Lamb when under pressure, and (3) are willing to lay their lives down for the good of the believing community.

This is the divine call in this hour.

Thankfully, the majority of you on this email list are survivors. Everything else is dust in our eyes.

Update: I have not gone on to watch Season 7 of the TV series, losing interest after the final episode of Season 6.

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About Frank Viola

Frank Viola is a best-selling author, A-list blogger, speaker, and consultant to authors and writers. His mission is to help serious followers of Jesus know their Lord more deeply so they can experience real transformation and make a lasting impact. See his About page for more information.

I had seen the name The Walking Dead on T.V, but of course, never gave a thought to watching it. Your insight on the program is very encouraging and enlightening. I totally agree that in real life so called “Christians” act hardly anything like Christ. It blows my mind how unloving even to other believers we can be. I have experienced it first hand. I pray God always work on me to humble me and not be unloving to anyone. I am sure I don’t fulfill that as I should, but that is my prayer. We are dealing with a young society who are only interested in what is real and love inspired. Jesus is real and love and we are his ambassadors here on this earth.

When something tragic happens on the show I often say to my husband, “They should have stayed at the CDC.” I’m commenting to note that the only one who did stay was a Christian. She chose eternal life over the life the others are living now. I just found it interesting that it was the Christian, and only the Christian, who stayed and died painlessly.

Right, but in the context of my analogy, I view that person as giving up and surrendering to the evil forces instead of seeking to overcome and survive. I also don’t remember her being explicitly a Jesus-follower.

Great article Frank! We haven’t watched, bu may have to “binge” on it soon. We have also noticed so many spiritual themes in current shows. People are hungry for spiritual needs to be met and for community. Keep writing dear brother and we are SO blessed by The Deeper Christian Life Network!

Number 2 was very convicting and I know I need to clean up this area in my life. Thank you. It is spot on…but only if I apply the lesson to myself first. Thank you again. And so grateful for grace and mercy.

Frank your insight is very freshing and dead on….pun intended!
I have been watching this show since its inception. It’s an honest attempt to show who people are in a survival mode. If you watch the afterglow “The Talking Dead” show, you will hear from fans and writers what their premise’s are for each show. Many of the points you made have been discussed . I’m convinced that God gives pre-believers themes and concepts that they put to film, because believers are too uptight about their own reputations or associations with “godless” people? Really? For God so Loved the World….. Even a donkey can hear God and speak truth to the religious….

Fantastic observations. I’ve had similar revelations about the parallels of Christian community and the bonds we develop in tough times versus the bonds created in this show. I love finding God in stories, so thank you for pointing out these little nuggets.

I, too,, avoided The Walking Dead for many years. Then last November I watched an episode from the first season and then another. I soon realized that this show has very little to do with zombies. I then binge watched the rest of the series available on Netflix.

I am amazed by your thoughts about the dearth of true Christian communities.

Have you noticed a few times in the show, characters discuss who REALLY are the walking dead and conclude that they are, if they are overcome. At least I think I heard those discussions. I am entirely capable of providing such social and spiritual commentary in my own head while watching shows that give insights into society and reveal the hearts of humanity!

Well, I am relatively new to this Blog and I was really impressed with all the information that this article has to offer. I cannot recall ever seeing the show “The Walking Dead” although I have heard the name several times before and heard people say it is about a lot of Zombies walking around the place.

As a Christian who is really trying to live like Jesus here on this wretched earth who is really struggling to do so and if it was not for the Holy Spirit within me I would have given up a long time ago. Your article with all this goodness you have gleaned from looking at the show makes me wonder even more about what is real and what is unreal.

I have to look at things with a different perspective from now, like a third eye, with more discernment and wisdom. Thank you very much, Mr. Viola, I think that I am better off now that I have read your Blog. I will surely continue to read them as I want to become a great Christian, more like Peter or Paul of the New Testament.

Thank you so much for this article!!! I love The Walking Dead and have found it so difficult to communicate to others why I love it so much. And I have often felt that as a Christian, maybe I shouldn’t like it. But all the things you touch on in your article are the reasons I do. And your article has opened my eyes to the gut feelings that have drawn me to the show. And how the show relates to the Christian walk. I will definitely be watching future episodes with a clearer understanding of what it means to me. Thank you!!!! (I can’t get over the fact that someone I respect so much actually likes the show, too!!! LOL!!!!)

Once again, an amazing observation finding our Lord in the midst of a Godless Hollywood production. Not their intention, but the Father has a way of inserting Himself whenever and wherever He desires to reveal Himself to those that are His. I, too, watch TWD and have often seen Christ in many ways. Thank you for digging out the deeper nuggets found therein and sharing with those of us searching for such. Blessings, brother!

I started watching The Walking Dead because of this blog. I, like so many others, just thought it was another Godless TV series, maybe even demonic. I now binge watch it with my my husband with a different perspective than I would have if I had not read this blog by Frank Viola. I trusted his insight. And I see the nuggets. I have even wondered if the Lord approves of us watching shows with curse words. I struggle with this because of my own dislike of them.

I totally agree with this. I wrote a song back in the late 1990’s on this very important part in scripture about the walking dead. The song is called He Gives Life To The Walking Dead. 1 day I hope to share it. I’m in a band where we have tried recording this song live its sort of bush/Cajin genre style so adds some humour in the music. The song is more to do with the Christian then the unbeliever and even though we maybe alive in Christ, we still have to die to self daily, to be filled with our new life of the Christ likeness in us.

I love TWD and have since the beginning, even though I’m not a “zombie person” either. I have told my friends and family many times how I believe the show represents what Christianity is supposed to look like. Sometimes they look at me like I’ve lost my mind, but I don’t care. I’m glad to have someone back me up on my thoughts on the Walking Dead! 🙂 Thanks!

I have to admit I have been known to sow seeds of discord and impute bad motives. I don’t set out to do that but somehow in my attempt to discuss dynamics or difficulties within a group, I end looking like someone who likes to complain and find fault. But I am working on it. I am learning to think, and I mean really think, before I speak and to also not sweat the small stuff. It will take time and prayer.

Thanks Frank for a really well done article.
I too have seen the parallels to our Christian walk, in the show and do like it as well. I have also told people who are thinking they’re saved that they show they are the walking dead. Not in a mean way but in a warning way, as man there are so many who have been taught so wrong, about Christianity.

When asking God to be made a real disciple, and how to go out and make real disciples as we are told to do, He said to my heart study the book of Acts diligently!
I have been for two years now carefully studying and eating what is said in there. What I found first off the bat, was no one said some lame little prayer that does not exist in the word of God for salvation.

I was blown away by just how much religion has drawn people off the straight and narrow path. It is not a prayer for salvation it is a small series of musts. The first being Repent. The second is be baptized in water unto death, and be resurrected into Christ from the water. The third is we must be prayed over for the Holy Spirit to indwell us, to bring upon us, the Power that raised Christ from the dead.

That is the formula, of course it goes without saying that we must believe in Christ in the truth as the truth. He is the truth, He is the word who put on flesh, knowing Him is what sets us free, You shall know the Truth, and He will set you free. Or another He is the shepherd His sheep know His voice, and they follow Him.

I saw a wonderful little video not long ago of a real life lesson on this very subject, the sheep know their shepherds voice and do not even bother to answer to any other voice. So clear and right. This shepherd had 3 other voices calling to his sheep, they never stopped munching on the grass and doing what they were doing, till their shepherd called to them, then from all over the fields they came one and all.

This is awesome! I absolutely LOVE The Walking Dead and you’ve hit on so much that I would begin to spin around in my head and spirit in my head but never actually gelled. After recently doing a sermon series entitled The Force Awakens last month and one entitled, SPOCK (Sermons to Prepare for Our Coming King) after Leonard Nimoy died, I have been seriously thinking about doing something based on The Walking Dead. You’ve inspired me!!! Thx!
(And yes, I love LOST as well. I did a Young Adult Bible Study on Lost years ago as well as one on I Am Legend (remember those final words, “Light up the darkness”??)

Anyway, I am so happy I signed up for your blog. This is going to be fun! 🙂

Thank you for the great perspective. In discipleship, I use the analogy of those outside the body of Christ as zombies — physically alive but spiritually dead. Heck, there are even those inside the church who fit that label. But, like the valley of dry bones, our God can breathe life into them. Our job is to open their ears to hear His call. In so doing, we help expand His Kingdom.